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'It isn't a case that intellectual property goes and the new one comes in'
By Online Editors
Wayne Pivac has insisted he has no worries that a brain drain to one of Wales’ biggest Test rivals might hamper their chances of retaining the Six Nations in 2020.
On the day of the recent unveiling of his World Cup training squad, current Welsh boss Gatland hit out at the loss of his long-serving forwards coach Robin McBryde to Irish province Leinster, a development that could have a sequel as departing Wales backs coach Rob Howley is in talks about a possible move to Munster.
Speaking about McBryde’s post-Japan exit to Ireland, Gatland said: "From my point of view, it’s disappointing because he’s got 13 years of IP (intellectual property) that’s suddenly left Wales and gone over to our closest rivals.
"They have access to all that knowledge that he’s gained, knowledge of players, game plans, structures and how things were done.”
Pivac, though, isn’t too concerned about the possibility that two of Gatland’s most loyal assistants will switch from Wales to Ireland and take with them a mountain of experience.
"It happens," said Pivac on Tuesday to the BBC ahead of his last match in charge of Scarlets, Saturday’s PRO14 Champions Cup play-off against local rivals Ospreys. "Everyone has their tenure and they have had a fantastic tenure.
"The last 18 months has been tremendous to watch with the growth of the team. That's the exciting part of going in now and seeing whether we can add value to that. It isn't a case that intellectual property goes and the new one comes in.
"Within that intellectual property a group of players is a part of it, so there will be a lot of information shared early to make sure we aren't going in there and ripping things apart because it isn't broken.”
Pivac added that he believed the decision of Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards to seek employment elsewhere - most likely with the France national team - was driven by money.
"We had some talks with Shaun and they were productive, but we did not quite get it over the line," said the New Zealander. "It 's an individual choice and probably a financial one."
WATCH: Warren Gatland announce Wales' 2019 World Cup training squad
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Think it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
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